Genesis 1:3 – Creation & New Creation

Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

When we come to 1:3 we come face to face with the gospel of grace.

It may not seem like it, but 1:3 is the first place in the entire Bible when we come face to face with the drama of redemption. How so? One grand reason: Paul quotes Gen. 1:3 in 2 Cor. 4:6 to show that the same creation power at work to make the world is also at work in the salvation of every sinner.

Let’s read 2 Cor. 4:1-6, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

In this passage we see Paul defending his ministry, encouraging us to not lose heart but renounce disgraceful, underhanded ways, refusing to tamper with God’s Word as Paul does. Sure the gospel may be veiled to those who are perishing because Satan, who is called here ‘the god of this world,’ has blinded them. But just as the darkness could not hold back the power of God in Genesis 1:3 when light came bursting forth at the command of God, so too the darkness of the blinded human heart cannot hold back the power of God in new creation here in 2 Cor. 4:6 when light comes bursting into the heart at the same command of God.

Conclusion? Genesis 1:3 shows God’s creation power to make the world. 2 Cor. 4:6 quotes Genesis 1:3 to show God’s power to remake the sinner.

Genesis 1:3 shows us creation, 2 Cor. 4:6 quotes Gen. 1:3 to show us new creation.

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The Publicans are a group of pastors and friends who are committed to the historic reformed faith. By visiting with us, may you find what the publican found, that the end of yourself is the beginning of life in Christ.

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